Felixstowe

Felixstowe is a major port and 'garden resort' on the east coast of England, in the county of Suffolk. Felixstowe is long past its heyday as a tourist resort, and is best visited now as a place to enjoy some seaside calm.

Understand
Lying on the coast between the Rivers Orwell and Deben, the town is normally considered to include the adjoining town of Walton and the area known informally as Old Felixstowe. A seaside town that is famous for its container port (the largest in the UK).

By train

 * Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain

Hourly trains from Ipswich take just under 30 min to Felixstowe. These connect with hourly trains from London Liverpool Street to Ipswich and Norwich, so the journey from London takes two hours. From the north change at Peterborough and Ipswich. From the Midlands it's probably quickest to travel via London. is north end of town. It's a simple platform terminus with a ticket machine and a little shelter, and that's all. There is step-free access to the sole platform.

By boat
Port of Felixstowe is busy with freight but has no international ferries. Cross to Harwich Parkeston Quay for the ferry to Hoek van Holland.

By road

 * Felixstowe is about 90 minutes - 2 hr drive from Central London. It is easily reached by road from the Midlands via the A14.
 * The town in on National Cycle Route 51 running the SW to Harwich and Colchester and to the NW to Ipswich and on to Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire.
 * The town is on Regional Cycle Route 41 which runs N to meet National Cycle Route 1 between Shetland Islands and Dover, and Regional Cycle Route 42 which meets NCR 1 near Halesworth.

Get around
First Eastern Buses 75, 76 and 77 start from Ipswich. Bus 77 runs hourly to Felixstowe town centre (45 min) then Landguard Fort and port viewing area, but the town is best explored on foot or bicycle.

Taxi firms are Coastal Wizard (+44 1394 275555), Independent (+44 1394 284000) and 1st 4 Taxis (+44 1394 270078).

See
Felixstowe Ferry is perhaps the most charming part of the town. It's in the far north, beyond the golf club, at the mouth of the River Deben. It's a popular place for sailing and walks. It has good real ale pub (see below). It is best to park at the cliff top car park as there is little parking at Felixstowe ferry.

The promenade stretches 1 mile north and south of the pier two limes in total, and expect for a small length there is a good path (it is part of the Suffolk Coast long distance path) between Landguard Fort and Felixstowe Ferry. North is generally quite pleasant, with landscaped gardens and quiet shingle beaches.

In the centre of the tourist area, by the sea, there are some excellent arcades, including the famous Mannings Amusement Park (including crazy golf). There is a Sunday market beside Mannings, and a car boot sale on Saturday

Further south the beach gives way to a very industrialised dock area. In the middle of this is a little wildlife haven, around Landguard Fort. It's popular with bird watchers.

The sea shore is the site of the last opposed invasion of England in 1667 and the first land battle of the Royal Marines. The fort was built in the 18th century, modified in the 19th century with substantial additional 19th- and 20th-century outside batteries. The fort is open every day from Easter to October.

The nearby submarine mining building houses Felixstowe museum’s collections of local interest and is open Sundays & Wednesdays in summer.
 * is now only visible on spring low tides. It was built late 3rd century as part of the "Saxon Shore" ring of defenses when the Romans panicked about their fragile empire. It stood on cliffs on the coast, but cliffs, castle and village of Walton were all eaten by the sea circa 1750.
 * is now only visible on spring low tides. It was built late 3rd century as part of the "Saxon Shore" ring of defenses when the Romans panicked about their fragile empire. It stood on cliffs on the coast, but cliffs, castle and village of Walton were all eaten by the sea circa 1750.
 * is now only visible on spring low tides. It was built late 3rd century as part of the "Saxon Shore" ring of defenses when the Romans panicked about their fragile empire. It stood on cliffs on the coast, but cliffs, castle and village of Walton were all eaten by the sea circa 1750.

Do
The fantastic amusement parks are a great day out, and for those looking to party away the night, you won't forget the über-cool bandbox nightclub.

Between the promenade and Felixstowe Ferry there's about a mile of beaches known as "The Dip". It's dominated by beach huts but not a bad place to enjoy the beach in the summer.

There are a variety of pleasant country walks around Felixstowe, particularly in the Orwell and Deben estuaries. However, you need a car to get to these areas from the town.
 * Love Felixstowe is a festival nominally over a week, but with most events on its opening weekend. The next is probably Sa 31 Aug - Su 1 Sept 2024, tbc.
 * Love Felixstowe is a festival nominally over a week, but with most events on its opening weekend. The next is probably Sa 31 Aug - Su 1 Sept 2024, tbc.
 * Love Felixstowe is a festival nominally over a week, but with most events on its opening weekend. The next is probably Sa 31 Aug - Su 1 Sept 2024, tbc.
 * Love Felixstowe is a festival nominally over a week, but with most events on its opening weekend. The next is probably Sa 31 Aug - Su 1 Sept 2024, tbc.

Buy
The best thing that Felixstowe has to offer on the shopping front are two exceptional second-hand bookstores. The Treasure Chest and Poor Richard's are in the town centre. The former in particular is remarkably well-stocked and both are reasonably priced. The presence of two such shops in close proximity is justification for a visit to Felixstowe for any book affecionado.



Eat


There are a few restaurants of note, a few very good Fish & Chip shops, and a decent Indian and Chinese on the lower Hamilton Road.


 * Cafe Bencotto serves pizza and Med food at 128 Hamilton Rd near the station. It's open M-Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 10AM-5PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.
 * Cafe Bencotto serves pizza and Med food at 128 Hamilton Rd near the station. It's open M-Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 10AM-5PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.

Drink
The few pubs in Felixstowe offering a wide of atmosphere to suit all tastes. The young and trendy should try either the Grosvenor which is behind the main shop street on Ranleigh road, or The Alex on the sea front. The Cork has a balcony with views across the sea.



Sleep
Felixstowe being an English seaside resort, there is no shortage of overpriced, poor-quality B&B accommodation.
 * Premier Inn is at the junction of Undercliff Rd W and Garrison Lane.

Connect
Felixstowe and its approach highway have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Sept 2022, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Ipswich, the Orwell and Deben estuaries are all easily visited from Felixstowe. The town makes a good base for all of Suffolk and North Essex.
 * Harwich
 * Orford